Jammed filter and step ring

ray*j*gun

ray*j*gun

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HI

I have read the older threads addressing how to get a jammed filter off of a camera lens but my problem is that I have a B&H filter stuck onto a step up ring and its really jammed! Anyone have a method that works on this version of the problem?

Thanks.

Ray
 
Squeezing the two pieces and trying to turn them won't work. The pressure of your fingers will distort one or both out of round and they won't separate. Try to find two pieces of flat, non-slip rubber (I use the back of an old foam mouse pad). Lay one on a solid table and wrap the other around a solid piece of wood. Trap the filter/step ring between them and try turning. Whatever you try, the pressure on the rings should be even.
 
I'll try that today.

Is this a common issue with step ups? I have just recently started to use them.

Anyway.....Thanks.

Ray
 
ray*j*gun said:
HI

I have read the older threads addressing how to get a jammed filter off of a camera lens but my problem is that I have a B&H filter stuck onto a step up ring and its really jammed! Anyone have a method that works on this version of the problem?

Thanks.

Ray
Click to expand...

four methods:
1. Gum rubber sheets or dental dam material, used as a friction wrench. It is the most common method used and is described in the other replies. This should be your first resort.

2. Micro tools sells a lens wrench called a "Flexi Clamp." They only go up to about 2 inches though, so whether you can use them depends on the size of the lens. This should be your second resort.

3. There is a type of wrench called a strap wrench, and it is mainly used in plumbing and auto repair. A pair of those might do the trick if your rings are too big for the flexi clamps. http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAP-WRENCH-SE...ryZ85917QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

4. Okay, now we get into the drastic "last-resort" stuff. This is what you might have to do if you have dropped a camera and bent the threaded lip of the lens barrel. Almost always, if you're having to resort to this, the glass has been broken in the lens filter. If all else fails, and you have no other alternative, you can cut and crimp the filter ring. First pull out all the broken glass. Then, you make three notches, close together on the ring, and fold the ring inward at the center notch. This reduces the diameter of the ring and it just pulls out. Your next step should be to use a lens vice to straighten the bent lip of the lens.
 
leicasniper said:
Do they not still sell the plastic filter removal tools you could get cheap in the old days? Everyone should have one.
Click to expand...

Micro tools sells them. They call them "Flexi-clamps." They have cheap plastic ones and expensive beryllium copper ones. They only go up to about a 2-inch diameter though. A small strap wrench would be a lot more versatile. You'd only need one of those instead of a dozen Flexi-clamps.
 
Well, the only method I haven't tried is the use of Flexi-clamps....fact is if that deosn't do it, I'll just accept that I now have a dedicated orange filter in 46mm.

Its so frustrating as I had been so careful with both the step up and the filter.

Thanks all!!!!!

Ray
 
Most step rings are cheaply made of cheap aluminum. The threads aren't cut accurately and they may even be out of round. You could also try heating or cooling the pair and then trying to unstick them. Sometimes rubbing a soft lead pencil (it's the graphite you want) on the step ring threads before use helps.
 
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